Live Blog: Gingrich Victorious in South Carolina Primary

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich pulled off a come-from-behind upset Saturday in the South Carolina’s primary, easily besting rivals Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.

“Thank you to everyone in South Carolina who decided to be with us in changing Washington,” he said.

Addressing supporters Saturday night in Columbia, S.C., Gingrich said he wanted the United States to become so energy independent that no American president ever again bows before a Saudi Arabian king.

Gingrich also took aim at President Obama for his rejection of a plan for the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas.

“President Obama is a president so weak that he makes Jimmy Carter look strong,” Gingrich said.

Gingrich also praised GOP rivals for the presidential nomination and attacked President Obama and “elites in New York and Washington.”

Mr. Obama is “the most effective food stamp president in history,” Gingrich said. “I would like to be the best paycheck president in American history.” Those declarations and his attack on the “elite news media” reprised two of his more memorable lines from two recent debates that helped him win in South Carolina.

The NewsHour will have much more about South Carolina’s primary results Monday online and on-air.

In the meantime, check out:

• Map of South Carolina results
• Gwen’s Take: South Carolina Votes
• In S.C. Victory, Gingrich Wins ‘Just About Every Demographic’

Also, watch the Republican candidates’ full speeches in South Carolina:

• Newt Gingrich
• Mitt Romney
• Rick Santorum
• Ron Paul

After the jump, check out our live blog from our South Carolina primary coverage: